Albany's Kiddie Pool asks: What does it mean to be an American?

April 28, 2026

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Hey 518 readers, we’re thrilled to let you know that opening night for Kiddie Pool’s first big group show—“Americana/ble”—is this coming Friday. As you might know, Kiddie Pool is one of the rare residential art spaces in the Capital Region, founded and curated by our very own Karley!

This show was also generously supported by many of you through a fully funded Kickstarter campaign back in December. If you contributed to this show, we would absolutely love to thank you in person at Friday’s opening reception. Come meet the artists and The 518 crew too!

Keep reading to learn more about the show…

—Phat X. Chiem & Karley Sullivan

🖼️ Kiddie Pool’s first big group show opens the American question

What does it mean to be an American, here and now?

It’s a simple question with complicated answers. America is a melting pot, and it has always juggled more than one truth, including the promise of freedom and the reality of exclusion; the language of belonging and the long history of deciding who’s in and who’s out.

As the country celebrates its 250th birthday, Albany’s residential art space known as Kiddie Pool is inviting people to step inside that loaded question. 

The show does not promise a single answer. Instead, it offers a roomful of responses and threads to follow.

On Friday, May 1, Kiddie Pool will open “Americana/ble: The Big Group Show,” bringing together more than 20 artists, musicians, writers and community organizers with ties to the Capital Region and beyond.

The salon-style event will be staged inside the historic row house in Albany’s Mansion neighborhood that also serves as The 518’s HQ.

Coinciding with First Friday Albany, the exhibition marks Kiddie Pool’s first large group show and its most expansive statement yet. The show is also an official event supporting “Fall of Freedom,” a movement making an urgent call for artists “to stand up to repression and to celebrate the experiences, cultures, and identities that shape the fabric of our nation.”

“We’re so excited to bring together some of our favorite artists from across the Capital Region, Hudson Valley and NYC for our first big group show,” says Karley Sullivan, Kiddie Pool’s founder and curator. “I love it that these wildly different works will be in conversation with each other in a domestic space—much like the conversations that many Americans are having right now in their homes. Art can hold space for those that don’t fit into the dominant narrative, while drawing out the hidden and not-so-hidden tensions.”

Opening night runs from 6 to 9 pm and will include live music from local Americana favorite Julia Alsarraf and soapbox speeches from the youth organizers at We Are Revolutionary. 

Programming continues through May. The exhibition will be open for public viewing on Sundays, May 3, 17 and 24, from 12 to 4 pm. Additional events include a Memorial Walking Tour with Alexis Bhagat on May 7, a public release party for Avery Irons’ debut novel, Belonging to the Air, on May 17, and an artist panel on May 21.

The deets: Opening night for Kiddie Pool’s “Americana/ble” at 128 Grand Street, Albany. Friday, 6-9 pm, free. Free street parking is available without restriction.

A word from our sponsor

🏓 All Plus Table Tennis has officially moved into a new space at 150 Broadway in Menands, and is serving up an even better experience for all ping pong players! As the Capital Region’s first full-time table tennis venue, they are excited to offer more hours to play, dedicated robot tables, weekly leagues, and more!

They also have travel-friendly, half-sized tables and full-size professional tables available for party rentals.

Check out All Plus Table Tennis for casual play, league games, tournaments and monthly memberships!

🏓 Speaking of ping pong… a long abandoned lot at 48 Central Avenue in Albany has been transformed into a micro park, complete with two ping pong tables for the public to use. The Postage Stamp Ping Pong Park celebrated its grand opening with a ribbon cutting ceremony this morning. You can find us there making like Marty Supreme.

🛒 It’s really happening. With a grand opening scheduled for August, Costco is hiring some 200 employees for its new store in Guilderland. The pay is $20-$32.90 per hour. Here’s how the construction site is looking, courtesy of Reddit.

🎟️ Live Nation is rolling out its Summer of Live promotion featuring $30 tickets for shows at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center, including Jelly Roll, James Taylor, Outlaw Music Festival, and more. Runs April 29-May 5. [Times Union]

🎸 Rolling Stone is launching its first music festival called Stateside, at Hutton Brickyards in Kingston, NY, on Independence Day. Singer-songwriter Noah Kahan will headline the two-stage event, which will also feature Gigi Perez, Sydney Rose, Arcy Drive, Bo Staloch, Devon Gilfillian, Derby, Calder Allen and Michaela Anne. Tickets go on sale at 10 am Thursday at statesidefest.com/tickets.

This 1862 Victorian townhouse in Center Square blends historic charm with modern amenities. A 2025 winner of the Preservation Initiative Award from the Historic Albany Foundation, the home is currently used as a single-family residence, with potential for a garden-level 1-bedroom apartment. Highlights include an extra-spacious floor plan, European kitchen, five original marble mantels, 12-inch crown and base moldings, attic storage, and a private patio garden with perennial landscaping and fencing.

As exquisite as this home looks, on a per-square-foot basis ($173), it’s actually on the low end for Albany.

The deets: 4 bd, 4 ba, 3750 sf. Asking: $649,000. Days on market: 17. See the full listing here.

Note: The 518 Weekender now publishes on Thursdays. Watch your inboxes!

WEDNESDAY

🖼️ See some excellent emerging talent at Opalka Gallery when it hosts Russell Sage’s Visual Arts BFA showcase.

✍️ The NYS Writers Institute travels to Nine Pin’s Tasting Room when it brings in novelist T.C. Boyle for a conversation.

THURSDAY

🍺 This month’s History & Hops at Common Roots Albany Outpost looks at the excavation of an estate owned by a surgeon who once served on George Washington’s staff.

🍽️ Raise money to support people living with AIDS/HIV by joining the Dining Out for Life fundraiser at participating restaurants in the 518.

📷️ Peter Bosco presents a rare talk on two legendary photographers (Walker Evans & George Tice), featuring original George Tice prints and insights from the producer of the film, "George Tice: Seeing Beyond the Moment.” At the Clifton Park- Halfmoon Public Library.

🪴 Kinderhook Library invites you to their Houseplant Swap!

FRIDAY

🖼️ First Friday Albany is back this month with another round of arts & cultural events in and around the downtown core.

🤖 The R Gallery at Arlene’s hosts an opening reception for “Worlds Beyond: An Exhibition of Fantasy and Science Fiction Art.”

SATURDAY

🕰️ Dozens of nonprofits will be selling their wares at The Big Bethlehem Yard Sale.

🍄‍🟫 The Foraged New York Festival kicks off on Saturday and runs through May 9, with guided walks at Indian Ladder Farms and dinners at partnering restaurants.

🥬 The Troy Waterfront Farmers Market is heading outside for the first time this year!

🔈️ At the Raisin Sound Launch Party, you’ll meet upstate New York’s first Paraflex sound system (which is basically designed for massive bass output).

🦸‍♂️ Expect some 250 vendors and a handful of celebrities at the Saratoga ComicCon this weekend.

🍪 Upstate Cookie Shack in Rensselaer celebrates its grand re-opening at 8 am!

🐟️ The Sanctuary for Independent Media, RPI, Capital District Tobacco-Free Communities and Riverkeeper team up for the 15th Annual Riverkeeper Sweep.

🚶‍♂️Capital Region Sanctuary Coalition invites you to educate your neighbors during their monthly Albany Barrio Walk.

SUNDAY

🍏 Nine Pin celebrates NY Cider Week with a four flight pommelier-led cider tasting and pairing experience.

🌳 Celebrate I Love My Park Day by volunteering at various parks around the Capital Region.

MONDAY

ART ON VIEW

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